I Am the Missouri Conference...
News
By Fred KoenigWhen David Owsley retired from his position as an electrical engineer in Oklahoma, he decided to move back to his home territory in Missouri. Settling in Springfield, he started visiting nearby churches, and found Wesley UMC. “It was the friendliest church we visited,” Owsley said.
A dozen years later, Owsley is pretty wrapped up in Wesley UMC. He contributes to the friendliness he encountered at the church by being part of the hospitality team. He teaches Sunday school, and is a lay delegate to Annual Conference. But his real passion is mission.
Owsley was a primary organizer of the first Mission Blitz at Wesley UMC. That event resulted in 30 wheelchair ramps being built that day, and another 50 over the course of the next few months. The Day of Hope Mission Blitz has adapted through the eight years it has been going on, and includes a major food drive, a free dental clinic, free eyeglasses and neighborhood clean-up work. The day of the event also has its fun side, with music, bounce houses, visits from the police and fire departments, and a performance by the Missouri State University band. The Day of Hope Mission Blitz is now specifically working with York and Campbell schools, two area schools that have many students living in poverty. This year the day was April 18.
Outside of the Mission Blitz, Owsley is a regular volunteer with Crosslines, the local food bank, and helps with home repair with Habitat for Humanity.
“After a career in management, I like being able to do some work where I can get my hands dirty,” he said.